ABC Medical Center > Diseases > Dissociative Amnesia

What is dissociative amnesia?

11 December 2025

It is a neurological disorder characterized by the inability to consciously recall past events, due to psychological trauma or severe stress, such as physical or sexual abuse during childhood, war, or natural disasters, among others.

Dissociative amnesia, also called psychogenic or functional amnesia, is more frequent in women and can persist for a long period after the traumatic event. Sometimes, the person may recover their memory spontaneously.

Those who have suffered prolonged physical, sexual, or emotional abuse during childhood are at a greater risk of manifesting dissociative amnesia.

Dissociative amnesia is classified as:

  • Localized
  • Generalized
  • Continuous
  • Selective
  • Systematized

Signs and symptoms Dissociative Amnesia

  • Inability to retrieve previously stored memories.
  • Inability to create new long-term memories.
  • Anguish/distress.
  • Confusion.
  • Alcohol and drug use/abuse.
  • Weakness.
  • Depression.
  • Disorientation.
  • Sexual dysfunction.
  • Fatigue.
  • Suicide attempts.
  • Problems establishing and maintaining relationships.
  • Feeling of separation from oneself (depersonalization).
  • Sleep disorders.
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Diagnosis and treatment Dissociative Amnesia

Once the doctor analyzes your symptoms and clinical history, they will perform a physical examination that will include a psychological and neurological exam. They will also order the following tests:

  • Electroencephalogram (EEG).
  • Blood and urine tests.
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).
  • Computed Tomography (CT scan).

The treatment plan aims to reduce symptoms, recover memory, and alleviate problems stemming from the traumatic event through medications, hypnotherapy, psychotherapy, and support groups.

At the Neurological Center, a group of highly trained and certified doctors in various neurological specialties are prepared to treat you with the quality and warmth that characterizes us.

Fuentes:

  • psiquiatria.com
  • cun.es
  • topdoctors.es
  • mayocilinic.org
  • medlineplus.gov
  • msdmanuals.com
  • psicologiamadrid.es
  • medigraphic.com

How can we help you?

    The dissemination of the content of this material is for informational purposes only and does not replace, under any circumstance or condition, a consultation with a specialist doctor, for which the ABC Medical Center is not responsible for the different use that may be given to it. If you require more information related to the subject, we suggest you contact the specialist doctor you trust directly.